Towing a CJ

[Yeti]

Well. After this topic http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f19/68-p-s-steering-issues-1263/

I have decided to tow the jeep back from Daytona. (to Tallahassee ~250 miles)

What is the best way to tow a 1968 CJ5 ? (I know...Newb question )

I would like to just rent one of those uhaul-tow-things and borrow a friends truck but that would require two wheels to be on the ground. Which two? I assume the rear with the Jeep in neutral.

If that option is not going to be good for it I'll try to round up a flat bed trailer. What should I do If I go this route?

Thanks for the help!

 

[CJ]

Best way is to trailer it but - If you have to dolly it, put the front tires on the dolly, pull the rear drive shaft (technically you can get away with out pulling the drive shaft but - why take the chance, it's a ten minute job) and pull it home. Be sure and check the rear fluid and top it off if needed...

 

[mylittlecj5]

I flat towed my CJ5 (yea its a little newer...) 2100 miles from Wa state to SE OK, without one single drivetrain problem... I did put smaller tires on it for the trip, so I didn't put too many miles on the new Swampers I have (had?)


I just put the Transmission in 3rd, and the Transfer Case in Nuetral. Did NOT pull the driveshaft...
I do use my car trailer normally (thats the best way to go), but I keep the tow bar around just for things like this...
Oh, a comparison pic of the tire difference...

 

[chris insull]

Since the CJ is so new to you I agree with the above posts... best option is a trailer, but if not an option, a dolly. There has been ALOT of discussion (on other forums) as to pulling the driveshaft(s) or not; but again until you get it home and really evalute the CJ I'd pull the rear shaft if using a dolly. I've been flat towing (tow bar) mine for over 20 years without pulling the shafts with no problems; tranny in neutral, OD in neutral, no heat build up in diffs or tranny. Keep in mind that the tires are wider than a typical tire so make sure if using a dolly that the tire "straps" will actually fit and then check the tension a couple of times while enroute!! Better safe than sorry...

 

[CJ]

I have to agree with me... And Chris... There was a method behind my madness when I posted how I would tow it... Since you have no idea of the fluid levels, when they have been changed, the upkeep of the Transmission and such - My thoughts and the order I would do them...

1. Trailer
2. Dolly on front wheels, pull rear drive shaft (Just one scenario, the rear output bearing is in bad shape on the Transfer Case , the tow with the rear shaft rotating tears up the bearing, you don't know it because your towing it because you don't know what the PO has done for upkeep - bad). Check and fill the rear diff (change if you can) before leaving.
3. Flat tow - pull both rear drive shaft, pull front if you do NOT have locking hubs, if you have locking hubs be sure they are unlocked before the tow.
4. Flat tow and do as MyLittleCJ5 said, just follow his instructions. If the CJ is in decent shape - there will never be a problem flat towing it as the rotation of the diffs and the Transmission circulates the fluid and lubricates the moving parts.

Good luck and welcome to the world of CJ's!!! It's like having child all over again! The nurturing, the oopses ( ), the outlay of money...

 

[chris insull]

It's like having child all over again! The nurturing, the oopses ( ), the outlay of money...

Man, ain't it the truth... But a neccessary evil!!

 

[Yeti]

Thank Y'all!
I'm trying to rustle up a flatbed car trailer so this is not an issue, but If I have to go with a dolly I'll follow your recommendations.

Two questions:
1) How do you disconnect the rear drive shaft (Properly)? A picture of the rear drive shaft might help put names with parts.
2) Why did mylittleCj suggest putting the Transmission in 3rd (with Transfer Case in N)?

Thanks! You have all been a great help!

 

[CJ]

1) There are 2 U-Bolts at the rear diff and two at the Transmission , just remove the bolts (2 nuts per bolt) and pull the drive shaft.

2) It causes the Transmission to turn and circultes the fluids.

 

[Yeti]

Thanks CJ!

I'll have to make the run "up north" once I get it back home!
My Dad lives in Bainbridge so I'm sure I'll be up there showing her off pretty soon!

 

[Yeti]

Alright, My Trailer has fallen through!
( I still need to find a truck too but I figure that will be easier than a trailer)

Anybody know if a Uhaul/Budget Car Carrier/Dolly will fit 30+ inch tires?
I think they are that big? if you are curious you can check my gallery.

I may just drive it back in increments if my luck keeps up this way!
or put a "slow vehicle" triangle sign on the back and make like I'm Amish.

 

[CJ]

I think they'll fit on a dolly just fine... Bring some strong straps!

 

[Yeti]

Well... I decided to just get the car trailer thing from Uhaul and not have to worry about removing drive shafts etc.

I guess $140 isn't much to pay to make sure it get home okay.

You all made good points about not knowing what potential problems there could be and this way it'll make it home safe. (if I even buy it!)

Man, I'm stress'n out over this way too much!!

I'll let you all know how it goes!

Thanks for all your help and great advice.

 

[mylittlecj5]

Actually (and this was a point raised and answered on another forum by a Transmission guru of sorts) the reason is this...

On certain transmissions-T/Cs (My Dana 20 for a fact, I dunno about the others cause I didn't own one at the time) If you flat tow with the driveshafts intact what happens is this:
As the wheels turn the driveshaft, it turns the output shaft of the Transfer Case , and it turns the gears in the case...lubricating said gears. BUT it also turns the main gears in the Transmission , just by the force of the gear oil rotating the gears and the input shaft of the T/C (thru 'hydraulic' pressure).
If the Transmission gears are allowed to rotate enough, it can dry the bearings out enough to gall and eventually seize the bearings on the shaft.
SO, to eliminate that, you put the T/C in neutral (allowing all the gears to get lubrication thru 'hydraulic' rotation) and the Transmission in gear, (locked against the engine's compression, and I use 3rd cause if something were to happen and it suddenly went into gear, the sudden skidding will be less severe than if it were in 1st...) to eliminate the main gears from turning (resulting in failure).

Is that clear as mud?

 

[Cweed]

If you have a tow bar, flat tow it. I have two CJ's a 77 CJ5 and an 84 CJ7 and I flat tow them everywhere and have for years, I don't disconnect the drive lines and have had to replace one rear seal over 15,000 miles which included some extreme rock crawling.

250 miles is nothing.

 

[Yeti]

@ MyLittleCJ :
Thanks! That's a great explanation! (Should be made a sticky somewhere!)

@ Cweed:
I don't have a tow bar. Maybe I should get one!

I'm about to see if I can rent a pick up truck with a hitch and tow harness.
I have 7 friends that have trucks with hitch and tow harnesses (that would let me drive their trucks to Daytona and back) and ALL of them are out of town this weekend (fishing, hauling stuff to the beach, etc)


Let's see how that goes!

 

[hole]

You might want to check into getting some better friends A Jeep recovery is soooo much more fun than going fishing or to the beach

 

[Yeti]

Hole,
Move to FLA and bring that Deuce-and-a-Half with you! That juuust miggght be able to tow the CJ5 back. (I think we could just put it in the back!)

The funny thing is that I'm buying this Jeep b/c I do not want to buy a truck! And what do I need to get it home...?

The Irony of life is the greatest form of comedy!

 

[Yeti]

Oh!
And enterprise rents pick up trucks...But no towing. boo.

 

[CJ]

Rent one of those U-Haul trucks for $20 a day and a dolly or a trailer - pull it back that way?

U-Haul: Dolly
U-Haul: Trailer
U-Haul: 14' Truck

 

[Yeti]

The Girlfriend comes through with a clutch move!!!

She found someone with a Nissan Titan with a tow package at her work!!

I'll be down and back before tomorrow night!

Me Celebrating -->
It's nice when the woman in your life supports your dreams!
(I'll have to buy her something small and sparkling now!)

PS
Thanks for the info CJ! I hope this won't be an issue anymore but I know where to go. ( I think they charge mileage on the pickups??)